European Championship
Mar 28, 2015 3.00pm
0
3
HT : 0 2
FT
  • Azat Nurgaliev 55' yellowcard
  • Ermek Kuantayev 70' yellowcard
  • goal Eidur Gudjohnsen 20'
  • goal Birkir Bjarnason 32'
  • yellowcard Ari Freyr Skulason 63'
  • goal Birkir Bjarnason 91'

Eidur Gudjohnsen, Birkir Bjarnason down Kazakhstan

Gudjohnsen, Bjarnason down Kazakhstan

Bolton Wanderers striker Eidur Gudjohnsen was among the goals as Iceland boosted their chances of qualifying for Euro 2016 thanks to a 3-0 win over Kazakhstan this afternoon.

The visiting Scandinavians dominated the opening exchanges at the Astana Arena, but it wasn't until the 20th minute that they were able to break the deadlock.

Johann Gudmundsson picked out veteran frontman Gudjohnsen, who was able to squeeze his effort inside Andrei Sidelnikov's right-hand post from 12 yards out.

It was the former Chelsea and Barcelona frontman's first international goal since 2009 and at the age of 36, he also became the fourth-oldest goalscorer in Euro qualifiers behind Jari Litmanen, John Aldridge and Krasimir Balakov.

Twelve minutes later it was 2-0 to Iceland as midfielder Birkir Bjarnason took his international goal tally to five when he rose highest to head in Gylfi Sigurdsson's cross.

During what was a largely uneventful second half, Kazakhstan defender Rinat Abdulin thought that he had reduced the arrears in the 63rd minute, but his headed effort struck the post before the ball was hacked to safety.

It proved to be the only nervy moment of note for Lars Lagerback's Iceland, who added a third goal in stoppage time courtesy of Bjarnason's second strike of the contest.

The victory means that Iceland sit six points clear of the Netherlands in second spot in Group A, having won four of their five qualification encounters.

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